Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Original Editor - Kapil Narale
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Acute Mountain Sickness is a self-limiting disease, which would be individually variable, and is considered similar to having a hang-over or a migraine. It can be elicited by initial exposure of non-acclimatised individuals to moderate altitude. Moderate altitude would be above 2000-3000m, and is when acute mountain sickness would start to occur, and will get worse with increasing altitude, thus acclimatisation would be very important for performance. [1]
Prevalence and Risk Factors[edit | edit source]
There is a prevalence of 0-25% at moderate altitudes, which depend on individual physical characteristics. Severe obesity and pulmonary disease are some risk factors to consider. [1]
Living or sleeping at moderate altitude would not cause discomfort from hypoxia. Exposures of a few minutes to a few hours at greater altitudes (5000-6000m) are short of a duration to cause AMS, hence would be tolerated by healthy athletes at rest and during exercise. In addition, life-threatening high-altitude pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema hardly occur below 3000-4000m. However, they can occur after many days of exposure at a higher altitude. [1]
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms can include a headache, and one of: [2]
- Fatigue,
- Dizziness,
- Nausea,
- Anorexia, or
- Sleep disturbance.
It is seen that AMS occurs subsequent to High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE). [3]
Outcome Measure[edit | edit source]
The severity of the symptoms of AMS progressively increase with higher altitudes. [4] These can be assessed with the Lake Louise Questionnaire for the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Please see the respective page for information on the Questionnaire.
Treatment and Prevention[edit | edit source]
AMS can be treated by rest and can be prevented by slow or gradual ascent. [1]
As mentioned on the High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema page, nifedipine helps with the treatment of HAPE, however it i snot effective with the treatment of AMS. Acetazolamide, is a prophylactic drug, which helps promote acclimatization by making the blood acidic, which leads to an incresed minute ventilation (VE). [2] Acetazolamide, which is used for AMS prevention, is seen to blunt hypoxic vasoconstriction in animals, but it is uncertain if that is the same case in humans. [3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bergeron MF, Bahr R, Bartsch P, Bourdon L, Calbet JAL, Carlsen KH, Castagna O, Gonazalez-Alonso J, Lundby C, Maughan RJ, Millet G, Mountjoy M, Racinais S, Rasmussen P, Singh DG, Subudhi AW, Young AJ, Soligard T, Engebretsen L. International Olympic Committee consensus statement on thermoregulatory and altitude challenges for high-level athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012:46:770-779.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mohajeri S, Perkins B.A, Brubaker P.L, Riddell M.C. Review article - Diabetes, trekking and high altitude: recognizing and preparing for the risks. Diabetic Medicine. 2015:32:1425-2437
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bärtscha P, Mairbäurla H, Swensonb E R, Maggiorinic M. High altitude pulmonary oedema. Swiss Medical Weekly. 2003:133:377-384.
- ↑ Bergeron MF, Bahr R, Bartsch P, Bourdon L, Calbet JAL, Carlsen KH, Castagna O, Gonazalez-Alonso J, Lundby C, Maughan RJ, Millet G, Mountjoy M, Racinais S, Rasmussen P, Singh DG, Subudhi AW, Young AJ, Soligard T, Engebretsen L. [https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/46/11/770.long International Olympic Committee consensus statement on thermoregulatory and altitude challenges for high-level athletes.] British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012:46:770-779
